Jhorn229h

Without question Geyer and Butler are two of the finest teachers out there. However, from what I hear about Muckey, he could have studied with Tony Danza and he still would have won a big job eventually.

J

Jhorn229h

AMEN!!!

J

wiseone2

I wonder how long before Matt becomes a target.
When they speak of his sound, will they talk of his "Muckey" tone?
This comes from Ys 1 2
Wilmer

__________________
Be sure Brain is engaged before putting Mouthpiece in gear.
S.Suark 1951

poochie

Yes it is true, I'm not a "babe in the woods", however I feel that the NYP made their decisions without prejudice to age or experience.The ranges of our ages and experience show that.They simply chose who the felt would do the best job for them. I did not here Matt's audition but undoubtedly he played his ### off. I look forward to hearing him myself.
Craig's article seemed right on the mark. If you love it ,do it. I did'nt even start auditioning until I was 30 yrs old. The MET was only my 4 th audition . I waited until I felt was ready .As a previous poster said ,some flowers bloom early, some bloom later.
There were times when I was freelancing and just getting by and took great joy in what I was doing,that more than anything motivated me and still does.
Just my perspective .
Jim Ross

DLoeffler

I would like to comment on the post by robertwhite:

A very good friend of mine that was also a good trumpet player defined himself by the fact the he was an orchestral trumpet player. Let me stress, HE WAS AN ORCHESTRAL TRUMPET PLAYER.

Somewhere along the line, at least for him, he lost track of why he liked playing in an orchestra. Several years ago, he developed some kind of a palsy or dystonia in his face that began to affect his embouchure. This problem progressed and eventually became so detrimental to his trumpet playing that he had to quit and will never play again. Despite spending thousands of dollars on doctors, therapists, etc...

Because my friend defined himself as WHAT he was, instead of WHO he was, he sank into a DEEP depresion for several years due to his inability to play - ever again.

I made sure that I kept in touch with him to see how he was doing and also to give suggestions of other things that he could do in music - HS/elemantary/MS band director, composer, community band director, arts management... because he deep down really loves music.

Thankfully, he got out of the depression, after a couple years, and is now an elementary school band director. And most importantly, HE IS LOVING IT. I wonder how many of us define ourselves by what we do instead of who we are?

Not trying to hijack the thread. I enjoyed the article. The article will hit home with several people I know by opening eyes to reality or to confirm that it's okay if you don't get a gig in an orchestra, jazz band, pop band, etc...

__________________
Drew Loeffler
http://www.eastshoremusic.com

Benjamin

I think you are trying to bark up the wrong tree with this one. Look at it this way. He is a college professor. The website obviously has an educational aim. Seems to me he is answering the questions that probably a lot of his students-readers have.

__________________
Benjamin E. Browne
National Radio Symphony (SODRE) - Uruguay
Filarmonica de Montevideo
Escuela Universitaria de Música-Universidad de la Republica - Uruguay

tpter1

I've been following this thread, and read the story.

I don't think Craig is whining about getting the boot and being replaced by Chris Martin. He is simply making a case about the amount of young players winning major jobs, and using tongue in cheek humour to make a point.. Read his "Prada Jeans" article. There was alot that happened on both sides of the fence when he left.

I think what he is really saying is this: be persistant. Even in the face of what seems like poor judgement (or in the very least something which stirs envy and disappointment and overwhelming sense of "Geesh...I'll never get there!") on the surface of these hirings of such young and inexperienced players, be persistent. Don't give up.

These people might find it's not for them. They have yet to deal with the pressure that must be involved in groups at that level. (And there must be alot! Think of how much we expect of them! Just that aspect alone...never mind the "gosh...when can I practice" scheduling issues that must exist or the physical demands of the job that people like Manny, Phil, Chris, MZony and others in the trenches have already worked out). The orchestra might find that they're just not the right fit after a short term. (It IS a work place, afterall). Or they just may work out in the end. No doubt about it though, they have their work cut out for them and their feet WILL be in the fire for a while.

__________________
-Glenn
"Roses have thorns; shining waters mud. Clouds and eclipses stain the moon and the sun; and history reeks of the wrongs we have done. After today, after today, consider me gone."- Sting

mazzrick

Regarding youths in orchestras:
The other thing to remember and not to discredit is that Gareth Flowers was the other finalist in the NYP audition. He's a second year masters student at Julliard. And if anyone has questions of Matt Muckey's abilities from an experience standpoint, I'm sure any member of the BSO brass section could put in a good word or two: Matt's done Tanglewood for the last 3 years. Also, this is not as if he's playing his first audition; he was a finalist in San Francisco and also was invited to some later round of the BSO principal audition.
I'm not quite sure either that the hype here is neccesarily deserved (not because of anything to do with Matt or Carol, but because this type of thing is nothing new). Other trumpeters like Chris Martin, Paul Merkelo, Ben Wright, Billy Hunter, Gulliano Sommerhalder, and I'm sure plenty others, have all been successfully winning auditions from their young age and keeping the jobs. I'm not too sure about how old Hunter is, but I know he's youngish and was in Dallas before the Met. Chris Martin won the 3rd / Associate job in Philly just after he was rejected from Julliard for his masters. Merkelo was playing principal in Rochester and in New Orleans before he was 21 or finished with his undergrad. Ben Wright has won positions in the Kennedy Center, CSO, and BSO and I don't think he's 30 yet.
Auditions have been won by youngsters farther back than I've mentioned, I just don't know details so I'll leave them unmentioned. The other thing not to forget is that Jim Ross (congratulations to him) will be leaving a spot that many of you out there might be wanting; perhaps a chance for revenge against the derelict youth.

M

ecarroll

Also note that a undergraduate at McGill named Matt Brown just won a three year appointment to join Boulez and Ensemble InterContemporain at the Lucerne Festival starting in August.

Damn those kids...

EC

wiseone2

Heck.......I knew you when you were the kid
Wilmer

__________________
Be sure Brain is engaged before putting Mouthpiece in gear.
S.Suark 1951